A monolithically integrated and flexible 1-2-2-type three-components piezocomposite array: Theory and experimental validation

TY - JOUR

T1 - A monolithically integrated and flexible 1-2-2-type three-components piezocomposite array

T2 - Theory and experimental validation

AU - Wang, Jiacheng

AU - Gao, Zhongwei

AU - Zhang, Jinying

AU - Chen, Jialin

AU - Wang, Bingnan

AU - Zhang, Ruiheng

AU - Xu, Shuai

AU - Zhao, Chong

AU - Zhong, Chao

AU - Qin, Lei

AU - Yang, Jian

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2026 The Authors.

PY - 2026/5/1

Y1 - 2026/5/1

N2 - The development of flexible and conformal transducer arrays is critical for next-generation underwater acoustic systems, enabling wide-beam coverage and high-fidelity signal acquisition. In this work, a novel 1-2-2-type piezocomposite integrating piezoceramics, rigid polymer, and flexible polymer is proposed, modeled, and experimentally validated for monolithic transducer array applications. An equivalent parameter model is established to reveal the relationships among ceramic volume fraction, acoustic impedance, and electromechanical coupling, leading to an optimized configuration that achieves high coupling efficiency ( k t = 0.64) and low acoustic impedance ( Z = 15.6 Mrayls). The composite is fabricated through a monolithic dual-dicing and dual-filling process, effectively overcoming the limitations of conventional manual assembly. Experimental results show excellent agreement with theoretical predictions, and the array exhibits outstanding element uniformity, with the relative deviation among nine elements maintained below 2%. These results confirm the superior flexibility, consistency, and integration potential of the proposed design. The 1-2-2 composite offers a robust and scalable route for high-consistency, wide-beam conformal transducer arrays, providing new opportunities for advanced underwater sonar and acoustic imaging systems.

AB - The development of flexible and conformal transducer arrays is critical for next-generation underwater acoustic systems, enabling wide-beam coverage and high-fidelity signal acquisition. In this work, a novel 1-2-2-type piezocomposite integrating piezoceramics, rigid polymer, and flexible polymer is proposed, modeled, and experimentally validated for monolithic transducer array applications. An equivalent parameter model is established to reveal the relationships among ceramic volume fraction, acoustic impedance, and electromechanical coupling, leading to an optimized configuration that achieves high coupling efficiency ( k t = 0.64) and low acoustic impedance ( Z = 15.6 Mrayls). The composite is fabricated through a monolithic dual-dicing and dual-filling process, effectively overcoming the limitations of conventional manual assembly. Experimental results show excellent agreement with theoretical predictions, and the array exhibits outstanding element uniformity, with the relative deviation among nine elements maintained below 2%. These results confirm the superior flexibility, consistency, and integration potential of the proposed design. The 1-2-2 composite offers a robust and scalable route for high-consistency, wide-beam conformal transducer arrays, providing new opportunities for advanced underwater sonar and acoustic imaging systems.

KW - 1-2-2-Type piezocomposite

KW - Acoustic impedance

KW - Array consistency

KW - Conformal transducer array

KW - Electromechanical coupling

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105034370126

U2 - 10.1016/j.bsecv.2026.100495

DO - 10.1016/j.bsecv.2026.100495

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105034370126

SN - 0366-3175

VL - 65

JO - Boletin de la Sociedad Espanola de Ceramica y Vidrio

JF - Boletin de la Sociedad Espanola de Ceramica y Vidrio

IS - 3

M1 - 100495

ER -